Soldiers of Misfortune – part 8
Teal'c sat quietly. He understood exactly what his commander and friend was about to do. He understood O'Neill's desire to keep his team safe at any cost, but he had never thought he would live to see the day when this man gave up the fight.
"O'Neill, is it not a saying amongst the Tauri of nought adventured, nought to be attained?"
O'Neill gave a groan. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained T," he corrected
"As I said, O'Neill. So why do you not now strive to gain?"
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Jack knew he was in for a rough ride when even the Jaffa questioned his order. He rolled his eyes to the ceiling. 'God save me from him, just this once,' he thought.
Daniel's voice butted in. "Give the man an answer, Jack."
"Look," he said, bringing his gaze back to his team. "Even if I get past the guards, how long do you think I can last out there? How long before I get one or all of you killed?"
Daniel butted in again. "Or putting it another way, you've decided our help isn't worth it."
The pain was resonating through him, the heat in his body and his mind, made it difficult to think. He paused before speaking and then looked Daniel in the face.
"No, it's not that. You can't carry me about. It would endanger all of you and it isn't worth the cost."
"Isn't that up to us?" asked Daniel, his voice thick with emotion. "Let me ask you a question. If it was me or Sam or Teal'c in your position would you walk away? Could you?"
Jack's eyes closed, not wanting to lie to his friend.
"You can't answer me, can you? You know damn well you wouldn't leave any of us. You wouldn't let any of us give up and lie there waiting to be shot like a dog." Daniel paused; he drew in a sobbed breath that made Jack open his eyes to look at him. Daniel fixed his eyes with his and continued. "So Jack, when they come for us, you get your sorry ass off that floor and come with us … or …" he paused again as his voice cracked.
More people were awake now and they were listening to the raised voices, or rather Daniel's raised voice.
Jack closed his eyes in defeat. "They'll just drag me out of line …" He didn't want his team to see him die, not like that.
"Sir … please," beseeched Sam's quiet voice.
Jack couldn't take that … his defenses were falling and smashed, like fine china cast down to the ground."Fine, have it your way then. I'll come with," he whispered and turned his head away from them, keeping his eyes closed, not wanting to see their faces … not wanting to see their despair, their disappointment in him …
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They didn't have long to wait before the doors were flung open and they were shepherded out.
Jack gave a heavy sigh. He didn't resist as he was helped up, biting down hard to keep the pain in. He stood swaying between Teal'c and Daniel. Sam zipped his jacket up and gave his arm a gentle squeeze before taking point.
The men, who had kept their distance up to now, surged around them, blanketing them on all sides. Some appeared to be leaning on others, cursing loudly and staggering forwards towards the guards.
Alenor moved close to Sam. "He is a good man. Many of us would be dead if not for him," he offered by way of explanation.
The people surged through the doors and into the food hall. They managed to get Jack on to the floor, well away from any guards. The men passed food and water to the team, saving them from joining the queues for food.
Jack declined food but sipped gratefully on the water, just hoping his churning stomach would keep it down.
Sam managed to catch his eyes.
"Seems we're not the only ones who want to keep you alive, Sir."
"Seems you're correct, Major," he sighed.
The scant meal was quickly brought to a halt and they were herded out to the vehicles once more. The men repeated their earlier actions and soon SG1 were onboard.
Jack lay down thankfully. The pain was horrendous. He could feel the burning from the wound; his head ached fiercely, and the sweat poured from him. He felt coolness on his face and opened his eyes to find Teal'c gently mopping it. It took a moment to realize what Teal'c was mopping him with.
"Do not worry O'Neill. I can wash it again," said the Jaffa.
"Damn right T, damn right," he muttered before he passed out.
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Sam was thankful the guards hadn't paid close attention. They couldn't have failed to see how bad the Colonel was if they had gotten close enough. His face was drawn into a tight mask of pain, the sweat pouring from his body.
She saw Teal'c take a still wet t-shirt from his pocket and gently begin to mop the Colonel's face. She watched as the Colonel recognized what Teal'c had and she gave a small smile at their exchange of words.
Alenor came to sit besides her. "He is bad?" he asked quietly.
"Radnor stabbed him yesterday before the vehicles took us from the village. He's lost a lot of blood and he's showing signs of the start of an infection."
"Radnor's an evil man, a bully!" spat Alenor. "He made our lives a misery on the journey here. I will warrant he did not injure him in a fair fight?"
Sam shook her head. "Radnor's dead now. The Colonel killed him."
"Good. He shall not be missed. I wish there was something we can do for Jack though," said Alenor sadly.
"He needs a doctor, a healer," interrupted Daniel.
"Strong medicines, yes, I know," said Alenor with a frown, and shaking his head, he withdrew to a respectful distance with the other men.
The journey seemed endless, and Daniel's brain was busy in thought.
"You know," he said suddenly, "for an advanced race, they sure do things awkwardly."
Sam nodded her agreement. "I was thinking that too. They've got space travel off to a fine art, and technology, but in other ways they seem almost backward."
"Indeed, their tactics and arms may seem less effective than they could be, however they are certainly less destructive than the Goa'uld, and the planets they rule appear to flourish," said Teal'c.
"Slaves just the same though. Did the Goa'uld never clash with them?" asked Sam.
"Not to my knowledge. However it is rumored from ancient history that the Karmine are not suitable as hosts and they stay away from the Goa'uld. They take great care not to invade near the systems lords' territories.
"Unless they are picking up soldiers," said Daniel bitterly.
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The transport drew to a halt, effectively silencing them.
"Glad that stops the history lesson," mumbled Jack from where he lay. He'd been quietly taking in the conversation as much as he was able, trying to keep his mind from the pain and the dreadful nausea that was threatening. There was nothing in his stomach but fluid and it seemed a certainty he would lose that.
Teal'c seemed to notice his commander's discomfort and helped him up, getting him to the doors as they opened, just in time for Jack to be sick against the side of the vehicle.
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Soolek was standing waiting, searching the sea of men. Sam's heart sank when she saw he'd spotted the Colonel, and the men reluctantly parted to allow him through. He stood behind the man as he retched again, the distaste clearly showing on his blue face, his yellow hateful eyes narrowing as he spoke.
"What is this?" he demanded.
Daniel moved over to Soolek and announced, "He is sick."
Sam stared at him in consternation. 'Damn, what the hell are you doing Daniel?' she thought.
"Yes, he is travel sick. You know, the booze?" He mimed tipping a bottle to his lips and purposely grinned a huge idiotic grin. "He will be okay later."
Soolek hesitated a moment, then Daniel's ploy seemed to work and the alien backed off. "He had better be," he said menacingly.
He moved to the front of the men to address everyone.
"The city has pockets of resistance. Civilians who surrender, you may permit to live. They have attacked Karmine soldiers in the city and this cannot be permitted. All resistance you will terminate and take the bodies to the central square."
The men were soon urged to go into the city. Once again the lasers were handed out and the men reluctantly moved off.
They kept a tight circle around SG1 until they were out of sight of the Karmine. Teal'c was supporting Jack the best he could without actually carrying him. The man was stumbling, barely able to keep on his feet. The body of men soon came to a halt. Nervously they glanced around the buildings on each side of the street, but so far there were no signs of life.
As they halted Jack swayed and dropped at the knees completely unconscious. Teal'c caught him and scooped him into a fireman's lift.
"We must find shelter, Major Carter," he urged.
Sam looked about anxiously. She knew she had to give the men some kind of direction.
"The Karmine are using us to draw out the resistance. Split up into small groups. Fan out, and be careful," she warned and waved them to move out.
The men gradually dispersed, but Alenor and three others remained.
"We shall help you if we can," said Alenor, obviously the spokesman for the other men as they nodded in agreement.
"Let's find shelter first." She gave them a smile of thanks and led them further down the street.
Most of the buildings were homes and they picked one at random, making sure it was deserted, and sent the other men to check out the buildings close by. The house was large and pleasant, basic but clean and Teal'c gently placed the Colonel on the large couch. The men soon returned and reported they had seen no signs of anyone else.
"Someone needs to stay with the Colonel. If we split up and search, we might be able to find someone - a doctor or a hospital perhaps," said Sam.
"I concur," agreed Teal'c. "It would be best if you should remain Major Carter, as you have the most medical knowledge to be of assistance to O'Neill."
"I'm with Teal'c on that Sam. Teal'c and I can pair up and Alenor and the others can pair up as well," said Daniel.
Sam nodded her acceptance of their suggestion. "Okay, not a lot I can argue with, but be careful and don't take any unnecessary chances."
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The building seemed very quiet once the men had left. Quickly Sam pushed a wooden chair under the door after sliding home the bolts and secured the back of the house in a similar way. She wandered through and found herself watching the Colonel's still form for a few moments before she tore herself away. She found a blanket to cover him and riffled through the kitchen, finding clean cloths, and filled a bowl with water to bathe the Colonel down, trying to make him more comfortable.
Daniel had emptied what remained of their medical supplies onto the table before leaving and even with her supplies added it looked pitiful.
She finished bathing him and covered him again with the blanket before going to search the kitchen once more. She found a few supplies. Whilst not admittedly at their best, the strange looking vegetables were better than nothing. She found a cooler and a huge pot of some kind of stew. It smelt okay and she tried it cautiously. Finding it to be delicious, she ate a small portion ravenously and then scooped out some of the liquid, hoping to tempt the Colonel into something later.
She carried everything she needed back to where the Colonel lay, and sat quietly, bathing his face intermittently with the water to help to cool him. He didn't seem to be getting worse, but she knew that could only be a matter of time. Despite her concern, quietness lulled her and she began to doze.
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Sam found herself waking with a start, not sure what had awakened her. She lifted her head from her arm and found a pair of brown eyes watching her.
"Hey, you're awake." She smiled gently. "How are you feeling?"
"Uh, peachy." His voice was low and hoarse.
Sam grabbed the cup of water and helped him to take a few sips.
Jack swallowed gratefully, feeling it cooling his burning throat, easing the dryness a little. His side was a ball of fire, the pain lancing through him. He looked around. He remembered leaving the vehicle and vomiting and … then nothing.
"Where are we?"
"You passed out in the street. We're holding up in an abandoned house on the outskirts. Everywhere seems deserted this end."
"Where's everyone?"
"Alenor and three of the others decided to stick with us. They've paired up, and along with Daniel and Teal'c, have gone to see if they can find help."
"Help?"
Sam dropped her face from his gaze. "Yes Sir, to see if we can locate their resistance, or a doctor or hospital."
"And you let them?" he asked incredulously.
Sam visibly straightened. "I gave the order, but no one was unwilling. Everyone wanted to help."
"Major, you're risking everyone's life for mine. It isn't worth it."
Sam's voice raised a little, and the pain levels in his head escalated with it.
"Well Sir, we happen to think it is. What's it matter in the end who kills us … them? The Karmine? At least there is a chance … better than to sit and watch you die …"
Sam's voice had risen considerably before she finished speaking. Her voice cracked and a sob was wrenched from her throat.
"Sam, please." Jack was alarmed at the emotions that were pouring from her. He knew she was close to losing it and it alarmed him to see this side of his Major. He understood why she was reacting like this, but it still worried him. The others needed her now, more than ever.
"Major," he spoke quietly, trying to instill his words into her. "I know it's hard, but you can't risk everything for one person." He paused, panting slightly to get his breath in between the pain that threatened to overwhelm him.
"Jack." She reached out as she spoke his name, her eyes filled with an unashamed emotion.
The use of his name startled him. He never expected to hear it. Always she'd hidden behind the military, always … until now … and it made his heart flip when she said it.
"Jack." She said it again and touched his face with such tenderness he yearned to pull her into a fierce hug. "You're not just 'a person', are you? You're so much more than that … to us … our friend, our family …" She faltered, and her head dropped. Her head came back up after a few beats and she fixed him with her eyes once more. "You wouldn't leave any one of us to die if there was a chance. You know you wouldn't. Please don't ask us … me … to do that to you." Her voice cracked again. The tears began to roll silently down her face and she put her head onto his shoulder.
Jack faltered, his heart twisted as he felt her body shaking, trying desperately to keep her tears silent. In the end he put his arms around her, despite the pain it caused him, and held her gently. He bit down hard to swallow the groan he felt building.
Eventually Sam rubbed her face on his shoulder and murmured a muffled "Sorry."
"Nothing to be sorry for Sam," he said and realized it was true. "I'm sorry. You're right, Daniel's right. I'm sorry."
Sam's arm crept across his chest and she lifted her face to him. Her eyes were red from her tears. "Oh God, I'm sorry … I didn't mean to …"
Jack slumped back, still fighting the waves of pain.
There didn't seem any need for words between them for the moment, his gaze seemed to speak of all the repression he'd felt for so long.
Sam felt the pang of regret hit hard. She knew at that moment just what she had been running from and it hurt. There was nothing she could do right now. She could only pray that she would have the chance to put it right – before it was too late. She buried her head in his shoulder once more, his arms securing her tightly to him.
After a while Jack realized she'd fallen asleep. The awkwardness of how she lay he couldn't do anything about, so he contented himself with holding her close, and succumbed to a restless sleep himself.
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